439 (2026). Ingrid Leary to the Minister of Internal Affairs

439 (2026). Ingrid Leary to the Minister of Internal Affairs: What evidence does Fire and Emergency New Zealand have to support or rebuff claims that any delay in turnout of appliance, for whatever reason, has a direct impact on the outcome for life and property involved in an emergency, if any?

Hon Brooke van Velden: I am advised that outcomes at emergencies are influenced by a range of factors and cannot be attributed to any single element in isolation, including turnout time. Timely response is nonetheless a fundamental operational principle for Fire and Emergency. This is why it maintains a nationwide station network and dispatches the closest appropriately trained and equipped appliance to each incident.